- Existing Assured Shorthold Tenancy (ASTs) agreements do not need to be rewritten or re-signed after the Renters’ Rights Act, but landlords do need to understand which parts of older agreements are now void.
- From 1 May 2026, most existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies automatically became Assured Periodic Tenancies, meaning fixed-term tenancies, Section 21 evictions and old rent review clauses are no longer valid.
- Landlords should review their agreements and make sure any new tenancy agreements follow the updated rules.
No, in most cases you do not need to issue a brand-new tenancy agreement to every existing tenant after the Renters’ Rights Act. However, you do need to understand how the new rules affect your current agreements, because some clauses may now be void.
Confusingly, you may have a perfectly normal 12-month Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) sitting in your files. It may mention a fixed term, a rent review, a break clause or Section 21. That does not mean you need to panic and start asking every tenant to sign a new contract, but it does mean that some elements of that agreement are now void.
At J Property Management, we help hundreds of landlords across the UK manage their properties inline with new rental laws. From new tenancy agreements to full property management, our team can help you stay compliant in light of new changes.
Get in touch with the team today!
What Has Changed Under The New Renters’ Rights Act?
The biggest change under the new Renters’ Rights Act is that the old Assured Shorthold Tenancy system no longer exists for most private tenancies in England.
From the 1st May 2026, most existing ASTs automatically became Assured Periodic Tenancies. In simple terms, this means tenancies now run on a rolling basis, usually month to month, rather than having a fixed end date.
For landlords, the main changes they need to know about include:
- Fixed-term ASTs have been replaced by rolling periodic tenancies
- Section 21 “no fault” evictions can no longer be used, landlords must use valid Section 8 grounds if they need possession
- Rent increases have to go through the formal Section 13 process
- Rent can only be increased once a year
- Tenants have stronger rights to request pets
- Landlords can’t discriminate against tenants because they receive benefits or have children
- Rental bidding is banned
- Some local councils now have stronger enforcement powers
The important thing to understand is that these new changes to the law override your existing tenancy agreement. So, if your agreement says something that conflicts with the new rules, then that clause becomes null and void.
That is why landlords should review their agreements to know what no longer stands, even if they do not need to fully replace them.
When Does The Renters’ Rights Act Become Law?
The Renters’ Rights Act became law on the 1st May 2026. On this date, most existing ASTs in England automatically converted into Assured Periodic Tenancies. There was no transition period, it really did change overnight.
If you already had a written tenancy agreement in place before the 1st May 2026, you do not need to re-write and re-issue it. However, landlords did need to give tenants the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by the 31st May 2026.
However for any new tenancies from the 1st May 2026 onwards, landlords need to make sure their agreement complies with the new rules.
What Clauses In Existing Tenancies Are Automatically Invalid Under The Renters’ Rights Act?
Clauses in existing tenancies that are automatically invalid under the Renters’ Rights Act are: fixed-term clauses, Section 21 clauses, rent review clauses and pet bans.
Here’s a breakdown of each of them:
Fixed-term clauses
If your agreement says the tenancy runs for a fixed 6 or 12-month term, that clause no longer becomes enforcable. The tenancy will automatically convert into a rolling periodic tenancy.
Section 21 clauses
Any wording that refers to ending the tenancy using Section 21 no longer applies. Landlords now need to use Section 8 only.
Rent review clauses
If your agreement includes an automatic rent increase or rent review, you should be careful. Under the new rules, landlords generally need to use the Section 13 process to increase rent, with at least two months’ notice.
Blanket pet bans
A simple “no pets allowed” clause is unlikely to work under the new rules. Tenants have the right to request a pet, and landlords can only refuse pets where there is a valid reason.
If you’re unsure whether your existing tenancy agreements are still fit for purpose, at J Property Management, our team would be happy to review your portfolio and discuss any areas that may need updating. Get in touch with the team today.
Is There Anything Landlords Should Be Aware Of Under The Renters’ Rights Act?
Yes, there are some important things landlords should be aware of under the new Renters’ Rights Act.
The Renters’ Rights Act was designed to change how landlords manage tenancies. That includes how they advertise a property, take rent, respond to pet requests, increase rent, deal with arrears and more.
A few things are especially important.
Firstly, landlords need to keep better records. If you ever need to serve notice, prove a rent increase, respond to a complaint or deal with a dispute, your paperwork will matter.
Secondly, landlords need to be careful with old templates. Reusing an old AST template for a new tenancy may include clauses that are no longer enforceable.
Thirdly, landlords should make sure they are serving documents correctly. If your tenancy agreement says notices must be served in a particular way, you need to follow that process.
Finally, landlords need to understand that enforcement is becoming more serious. Local councils have stronger powers, and penalties for getting things wrong can be much higher than they were before.
Keeping up with changing legislation is becoming a full-time job for many landlords. That’s why many of our clients choose fully managed property management services, allowing us to handle compliance, tenant communication, inspections and property management on their behalf. To find out more, get in touch with the team today.
Do I Need To Send Tenants The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet?
Yes, if you had an existing tenancy before the 1st May 2026, you needed to provide tenants with the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by the 31st May 2026.
You do not need to reissue the full tenancy agreement, but you do need to make sure the tenant has received the correct documents. If you missed the deadline, serve the document as soon as possible and keep proof that you have done so.
It may feel like a small admin task, but it could matter later if there is a dispute.
Should Landlords Issue An Addendum Instead Of A New Tenancy Agreement?
Yes, in many cases, an addendum can be a good option.
An addendum is a short additional document that sits alongside the existing tenancy agreement and explains which terms have changed. It can help avoid confusion without asking tenants to sign an entirely new agreement.
For example, an addendum might explain that:
- The tenancy is now periodic
- Section 21 no longer applies
- Rent increases will follow the Section 13 process
- Pet requests will be considered under the new rules
- Any fixed-term wording in the original agreement no longer applies
Every tenancy is different. Whether you have a single buy-to-let or a larger portfolio, at J Property Management, we help landlords all over London stay compliant in the easiest way for them. Get in touch with the team today to find out more.
New Tenancy Agreements, Do You Need Them?
No, you do not need to panic and send every tenant a completely new tenancy agreement because of the Renters’ Rights Act, but you should not ignore your agreements either.
The best approach is to review what you already have, identify any clauses that no longer apply, issue the correct information to tenants and make sure all new tenancies are created using updated documents.
At J Property Management, we help landlords stay on top of the details, from tenancy agreements and compliance to rent collection, inspections and maintenance. If you need help managing your London property, get in touch with the team today.
